Home-grown Hong Kong construction industry talent takes a moment in the spotlight at the Quality Building Awards.
Hong Kong’s Quality Building Awards (QBA) were topped off in style with a visit from the territory’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying, who hailed the city’s continuing excellence in construction standards. The head of city’s government said the awards represented the exceptional standards that put Hong Kong’s construction industry among the best in the world.
Many were at the JW Marriott Hotel for the occasion of the biennial bash that acknowledges buildings of outstanding quality that have demonstrated excellent teamwork in their construction. Awards were made for various industry categories but the one that stood tallest of the finalists, receiving the overall Quality Excellence Award, were the New Campuses of Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) and Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), also known as Lee Wai Lee.
Lofty standards
In his address, the guest of honour, Mr Leung said: “The quality of buildings as well as the standard of building professionals in Hong Kong is among the highest in the world. Since 2002, the Quality Building Award has acknowledged the quality of our built infrastructure and the talent of the people behind this achievement.
“Over the years, professionals of different disciplines have worked in collaboration, displaying creativity and professionalism in design and construction to meet the changing needs and aspirations of our society. This is evident across the city in housing estates and international hotels, in low-rise factories and high-rise office buildings, schools, university campuses and in all areas of our daily life.”
Under the theme of “Collaboration for Quality”, this year’s awards received an impressive 42 nominations from across its member industries.An array of Grand Award Winners, Merit Winners and Finalists, totalling 23 in all, including six from overseas, made the final cut. The successful finalists were subjected to a rigorous assessment process that included site visits and interviews with related parties.
In the case of the HKDI and IVE winning entry, the judges were especially impressed by the practical features of the campus, where a sky corridor has adopted a maintenance-free design to make for a social networking place with a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The winning structure is located in Tiu Keng Leng, part of Tseung Kwan O district. The campus was an example of cooperation between the architects from France, the Hong Kong’s Vocational Training Council, and the web of official and industry bodies. The building also won the Grand Award in the Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building) category.
“The competition was incredibly fierce this year,” says Jury Panel chairman Frank Chan. “The amount of meticulous planning, execution, and teamwork it takes to create a quality building is truly monumental and greatly humbling. I am proud to have had a chance to serve in promoting quality excellence and upholding the highest standards of professionalism in the building industry.”
Mr Chan’s view was echoed by Organising Committee Chairman Alkin Kwong.
“The Quality Building Award shows a collective commitment by the building industry to push for the highest building standards in order to improve the quality of life for everyone.”
Learning from others
Awards in the “Buildings Outside of Hong Kong” category were, this year, for the first time, subdivided into projects in mainland China, Taiwan and Macau in one category and anywhere else in a second category. The idea was that the expanded coverage would attract even more internationally prominent buildings to enter the competition, in turn raising the overall standards of the building industry.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to all the recipients of the Quality Building Award 2014. Their drive and dedication in creating and managing high quality buildings locally, in the mainland of China and overseas serve as an inspiration for all of us. I wish the winners and all stakeholders in the building industry every success in the pursuit of excellence,” Mr Leung said
Organising committee chairman Mr Kwong said the expanded coverage has provided an international platform for Hong Kong and Asia’s building industries to learn from one another. “Because of space constraints, the building industry in Hong Kong has a well-recognised reputation for constructing large-scale buildings in a limited site and has hence developed considerable expertise,” Kwong said.
“Meanwhile, our neighbouring cities have also excelled in numerous areas that we can learn from. All in all, the award can facilitate exchanges among countries to make our world a better place to live.”
AWARD CATEGORIES: | AWARDEES: |
Quality Excellence Award | The New Campuses of Hong Kong Design Institute & Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee) |
Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building) Category | |
Grand Award Winner | The New Campuses of Hong Kong Design Institute & Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee) |
Grand Award Winner | ZCB |
Merit Winner | Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong |
Merit Winner | Holiday Inn Express Soho Hong Kong |
Merit Winner | Hysan Place |
Merit Winner | Victoria Park Swimming Pool Complex |
Hong Kong Building (Renovation / Revitalization) Category | |
Grand Award Winner | China Resources Building |
Merit Winner | Pacific Place Contemporisation |
Merit Winner | URA’s Revitalisation Project at Mallory Street and Burrows Street, Wan Chai |
Certificate of Finalist | The Asia Society Hong Kong Center |
Hong Kong Residential (Single Building) Category | |
Grand Award Winner | Lime Stardom |
Merit Winner | Azura |
Merit Winner | The Gloucester |
Hong Kong Residential (Multiple Buildings) Category | |
Grand Award Winner | Yau Lai Estate Phase 5 |
Merit Winner | Marinella |
Merit Winner | The Coronation |
Certificate of Finalist | One Mayfair |
Building Outside Hong Kong (Mainland China, Taiwan & Macau) Category | |
Grand Award Winner | L’Avenue Shanghai |
Merit Winner | Beijiao Cultural Centre, Foshan, China |
Merit Winner | Chiayi Industrial Innovation Center |
Merit Winner | One Central |
Building Outside Hong Kong (Regions outside Mainland China, Taiwan & Macau) Category | |
Merit Winner | The Star (Singapore) |
Certificate of Finalist | STAR CENTER JeonJu University Main Library & Student Center (Korea) |
For more information, please visit www.qba.com.hk